Greenhouse



S. ZAUSNER `lune 7, 1955 GREENHOUSE s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May l, 1951INVENTOR. .fd/01u01@ Zausner BYE@ aMA,

S. ZAUSNER June 7, 1955 GREENHOUSE I5 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 n Filed May l,1951 mmvron 'vloffwu Zauswr Urbe/Veys June 7, 1955 s. zAUsNER 2,709,838

l GREENHoUsE Filed May 1. 1951 s sheets-sheet 3 .Sal/fm1 Za sa 3.7' diBY 0 T TORNE' YS United States Patent O GREENHOUSE Solomon Zausner,Warrenvlle, N. J.

Application May 1, 1951, Serial No. 223,969 10 Claims. (Cl. 20--2) Thisinvention relates to a functionally improved housing structure of noveldesign; the present invention in its more specific aspects aimingprimarily to provide a greenhouse assembly. lt is to be understood,however, that the teachings of the present invention are not limited touse in this connection.

Primary objects reside in the provision of a lightweight structure whichin disassembled condition will occupy a minimum amount of space and the`several parts of which may be manufactured with facility to embodyrugged designs.

A further object is that of furnishing a unit of this type, the parts ofwhich may readily be assembled to furnish a unitary and rigid structurefunctioning over long periods of time with freedom from alldifiiculties.-

Among other objects of the invention are those of designing an assemblyin which the interior will beladequately and preferably automaticallyventilated while at the same time the enclosure will protect the plantbed against drafts, sudden changes of temperature, etc.; ,that bed beingreadily accessible when desired and being maintained under proper heatand moisture conditions.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of theinvention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the housing structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along line 2'-2 in the direction of thearrows as in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 in thedirection of the arrows as in Fig. 2;--

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken along line 4-4 in the direction ofthe arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end assemblyembodied in the structure;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showingan, alternative andpreferred structure; v

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken along line 7--7 in thedirection -of the arrows as indicated in? Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section along line 8-8 in the direction of thearrows as also shown in Fig. 6.

As afore brought out, the present invention is primarily dedicated to agreenhouse structure. Accordingly, it will be described in thispreferred embodiment. The description and the drawings are, however, tobe taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, except whereotherwise indicated in the claims.

Thus, in these views the numeral 10 indicates a base from whichsidewalls 11 extend upwardly to provide in effect a pan for the reception ofearth or other material in which plants are conveniently disposed. Theinner faces of the base and side walls may be coated with protectivesubstance and a layer of similar material is also disposed upon thevupper face of the base. Extending upwardly from the ends of this panstructure as in Figs. 1 to 5, are corner posts 13 which have their 'ad-ijacent side edges formed with grooves. These receive vthe edges of endpanels 14 and side panels 15 all of Patented June 7, 1955 which arepreferably of glass and especially glass which will permit of readypenetration by ultra-violet rays.

The upper edges of panels 1 4 as shown may extend above the upper edgesof panels 15 and also above the upper ends of the posts 13. End members16 have their lower edges grooved as at 17 so as to receive the upperedges of panels 14. These end members are conveniently of triangularconfiguration and formed with openings 18. Thus, with these end membersdisposed in positions upon panels 14, an enclosing structure is providedwhich embraces the base, the side and end walls furnished `by panels 15and 14 and the end members 16. The latter in common with the base mayconveniently be formed of wood.

Now, with a view to providing a rooting structure and to also retainpanels 15 against displacement, strips 19 conveniently of metal aredisposed upon the upper edges of the panels 15 and extend longitudinallyof the same. These strips as especially shown in Figs. 3 and 5, are bentas at 20 to receive the lower edges of roofing panels or strips 21. Thelatter are conveniently formed of glass as afore described. The members19 extend inwardly and upwardly to provide portions 21 bearing againstthe upper edges of panels 15. Openings 22 may be formed in the innerfaces of these members to receive the hook-shaped ends of retaining rods23 having springs 24 attached to their lower ends. The lower ends ofthese springs are in turn preferably secured to the inner faces of theside walls 11 providing the main base or pan structure.

Accordingly, rods 23 will tend to draw members 19 downwardly. Therefore,these members will firmly seat upon the upper edges of panels 15. Soseated, they will retain the panels against displacement from thegrooves formed in the upper edge of the pan and into which the paneledges extend.V Additionally, a stable structure will be furnishedinvolving the channelled portions 20 such that the lower edges of strips21 may be received and supported within these channels. As shown, thelower faces of the two strips 21 adjacent their end edges may bearagainst the upper edges of members 16 to be supported thereby. Theadjacent upper edges of strips 21 are conveniently enclosed by a ridgestrip 25 which is formed with openings in line with end members 16 andthrough which detent or retaining elements 26 may extend.

Thus, with these parts assembled a unitary and rugged structure ispresented. The ventilation of the interior is assured by pivoted dampers27 which obstruct and control air flow through openings 18. Thesedampers may be controlled by thermostatic strips 28 so that, accordingto the dry bulb temperature prevailing, the dampers will openautomatically under predetermined conditions. The bed of material (notshown) disposed within the pan or base portion may be maintained underproper moisture conditions preferably by providing a loop-shapedperforated pipe 29 which extends into the zone of that base and projectsthrough one of the side walls of the same. At its outer end this pipemay terminate in a funnel portion 30 through which water may bedistributed.

In order to maintain a proper temperature condition on the part of theplant bed an electrical resistance strip 31 is secured to the side wallsof the base or pan andvalso to the upper face of layer 12 if the latterbe employed. A ow of current through this strip is preferably controlledby a thermostat housed within a casing 32. Leads may also extend fromthis casing to energize a socket which mounts an electric light bulb 33.In this manner the interior of the enclosure is adequately illuminated.Current supplying leads 34 extend to a point beyond the structure; itbeing understood that there is conveniently associated with thethermostat within casing 32 an ad- L justment pro"'sion such that thetemperature within the structure may be maintained at any desired point.

As will be appreciated the units of this structure may readily beassembled and connected to each other. So connected, they will remain inassembled condition free from any probability of displacement orcollapse. f hen the user desires to obtain access to the interior thismay readily be done by, for example, detaching the ridge strip 2e' andremoving one or both of the panels 2l. Otherwise, interior conditionsare maintained by the heating element or strip 3l and the dampers 27. Asafore brought out, adequate moisture may be supplied through pipe 29.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative form of structure which incertain respects is preferred over that shown in the earlier views. Thesame reference numerals have wherever practicable been employed toindicate corresponding parts. However, in these views it will beobserved that corner pieces 35 preferably of metal are secured to thesides and the base of the bottom tray by, for example, screws 3o. rThelength of the side and end piece-s "il is such that spaces are providedfor accommodation of corner pieces or posts 37. The latter are groovedto accommodate the end and side panels i4 and i5. With the structureotherwise substantially identical to that heretofore described it isapparent that after the roof assembly and side glasses have been rcmOvedthe corner pieces or posts may be withdrawn. In this manner it isfeasible to furnish a collapsed structure which may be compactlypackaged.

Also, there may be supported upon the base 10 a panel 38 of suitablematerial which is conveniently notched as at 39. The resistance strand40 is coiled around this panel and disposed within the notches. In thismanner a unit is furnished which may be exteriorly assembled and thenplaced within the tray or base portion of the structure. It will not benecessary to secure the resistance strand to the side walls of thatstructure as in the earlier figures.

Also, if desired a moisture distributing pipe 41 may be extended throughthe end pieces 16. ln that position it will be substantially above thesoil-receiving portion of the structure. This pipe may be formed withrows 0f perforations d2 and 43. The individual perforations in thedifferent rows are conveniently disposed in staggered relationship. Withpipe 4l being rotatable it will be feasible to direct water introducedthrough funnel il in virtually any desired direction to reach every areaof the soil surface.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as afore notedare achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction andrearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

l claim:

l. A housing structure including in combination a base, walls securedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a pan, postsprojecting upwardly from said pan adjacent the ends thereof and formedwith grooves in their vertical edges, transparent panels slidablydisposed in said grooves and bearing against the upper edges of saidwalls, metallic strips supported upon the upper edges of a pair ofspaced panels and extending beyond the outer face of the latter, channelportions formed in the external parts of said strips and opening in anupward and inward direction and transparent roofing panels having theirlower edges extending into said portions and projecting upwardly andinwardly therefrom to be disposed adjacent each other at their upperedges.

2. A housing structure including in combination a base, walls securedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a pan, postsprojecting upwardly from said pan adjacent the ends thereof and formedwith grooves in their vertical edges, transparent panels slidablydisposed in said grooves and bearing against the upper edges of saidwalls, metallic strips supported upon;

the upper edges of a pair of spaced panels and extending beyond theouter face of the latter, channel portions formed in the external partsof said strips and opening in an upward and inward direction,transparent rooting panels having their lower edges extending into saidportions and projecting upwardly and inwardly therefrom to be disposedadjacent each other at their upper edges and resilient connectingmembers attached to said strips adjacent the inner edges of the latterand also to said pan to maintain said strips in firm Contact with theupper edges of the panels against which they bear.

3. A housing structure including in combination a base, walls securedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a pan, postsprojecting upwardly from said pan adjacent the ends thereof and formedwith grooves in their vertical edges, transparent panels slidablydisposed in said grooves, the upper edges of said walls being alsoformed with grooves to receive the lower edges of said panels, metallicstrips supported upon the upper edges of a pair of spaced panels andextending beyond the outer face of the latter, channel portions formedin the external parts of said strips and opening in an upward and inwarddirection and transparent rooting panels having their lower edgesextending into said portions and projecting upwardly and inwardlytherefrom to be disposed adjacent each other at their upper edges.

4. A housing structure including in combination a base, walls securedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a pan, postsprojecting upwardly from said pan adjacent the ends thereof and formedwith grooves in their vertical edges, transparent panels slidablydisposed in said grooves and bearing against the upper edges of saidwalls, metallic strips supported upon the upper edges of apair of spacedpanels and extending beyond the outer face of the latter, channelportions formed in the external parts of said strips and opening in anupward and inward irection, transparent rooting panels having theirlower edges extending into said portions and projecting upwardly andinwardly therefrom to be disposed adjacent each other at their upperedges and end members supported adjacent the upper ends of said postsand having edge portions supporting said rooting panels.

5. A housing structure including in combination a base, side wallssecured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide asubstantially rectangular' pan, posts extending upwardly from said panadjacent the corners thereof and formed with grooves in their verticaledges, a pair of transparent panels slidably disposed in said groovesadjacent opposite side edges of said pan and bearing against the upperedges of said walls, a second pair of transparent panels interveningsaid first-named panels and similarly mounted between said posts, theupper edges of said second pair extending above the edges of saidfirstnamed pair, end members supported upon the upper edges of saidsecond panel pair and providing apex portions, transparent roong panelsresting upon the upper edges of said end members and converging towardseach other to provide a ridge portion and means for detachablyconnecting said rooting panels in such position.

6. A housing structure including in combination a base, walls securedthereto and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a pan, the ends ofsaid walls being spaced to provide sockets, posts having their lowerends disposed in said sockets, said posts extending upwardly from saidpan and formed with grooves in their vertical edges, side panels bearingwithin said grooves and against the upper edges of said panels andextending beyond the outer face of the latter, channel portions formedin the external parts of said strips and opening in an upward and inwarddirection and transparent rooting panels having their lower edgesextending into said portions and projecting upwardly and inwardlytherefrom to be disposed adjacent each other at their upper edges.

7 A housing structure including in combination side walls, sup'portingmembers associated with the upper edges of said side walls andcomprising strips presenting surfaces bearing against the upper edges ofsaid walls, roofing panels, channel portions opening in an upwarddirection beyond the outer faces of said side walls and forming parts ofsaid strip, said portions receiving the lower edges of said roofingpanels and springretracted means secured to said strips and disposedadjacent the inner faces of said side walls to bear against the upperedges of the latter and be retained against displacement.

8. A housing structure including in combination side walls, supportingmembers associated with the upper edges of said side walls andcomprising strips present ing surfaces bearing against the upper edgesof said walls, roofing panels, channel portions opening in an upwarddirection beyond the outer faces of said side walls and forming parts ofsaid strip, said portions receiving the lower edges of said roofingpanels, end walls intervening said side walls, end members supportedupon said end walls and said members providing edge portions to engageand support the roofing panels extending into said channels and said endmembers being formed with grooves in their lower edges into which theupper edges of said end walls extend.

9. A housing structure including in combination side walls, supportingmembers associated with the upper edges of said side walls andcomprising strips presenting surfaces bearing against the upper edges ofsaid walls, roong panels, channel portions opening in au upwarddirection beyond the outer faces of said side walls and forming parts ofsaid strip, said portions receiving the lower edges of said roongpanels, end walls intervening said side walls, end members supportedupon said end walls and said members providing edge portions to engageand support the rooiing panels extending into said channels, said endmembers being formed with grooves in their lower edges into which theupper edges of said end walls extend, a ridge unit extending betweensaid members and releasable coupling means mounted by said members andengaging with said unit to detachably retain the latter.

l0. A housing structure including in combination a base presentingupwardly extending grooved edges, corner posts supported adjacent saidbase and formed with grooves extending in the direction of the latter,side and end panels of transparent material extending into the groovesof said corner posts and base, means resiliently retaining certain ofsaid panels within said base grooves, channel portions forming a part ofsaid last-named means and said channel portions receiving the loweredges of roof panels extending between said side walls.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 865,590Horton Sept. l0, 1907 974,233 Brewer Nov. 1, 1910 1,375,402 McAvoy Apr.19, 1921 1,702,340 Gates Feb. 19, 1929 2,291,712 Hatton Aug. 4, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS 77,087 Switzerland July 16, 1918

